Afreximbank Grows to $44bn During My Tenure — Oramah
The outgoing President and Chairman of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Prof. Benedict Oramah, has revealed that the bank’s total assets and guarantees have grown to $44 billion during his leadership — a major milestone in the bank’s three-decade history.
Speaking at a media briefing in Cairo, Egypt, Oramah reflected on his journey and the bank’s transformation under his stewardship, highlighting significant achievements in intra-African trade, industrialization, and financial integration across the continent.
Major Growth and Impact
Oramah, who first assumed office as president in 2015, said Afreximbank’s asset base increased more than fourfold in the last decade — rising from $10 billion in 2015 to $44 billion in 2025. He attributed this success to the bank’s aggressive drive to finance trade, support African businesses, and strengthen regional cooperation amid economic challenges.
“When I took over, Afreximbank had assets of just about $10 billion. Today, we stand at $44 billion. This reflects not just growth in numbers, but in the impact we have had across Africa,” Oramah said.
He noted that the bank has disbursed over $120 billion in trade and project finance to African economies, supporting industrial parks, export promotion zones, and intra-African supply chains.
Support During Crises
Oramah also recalled the bank’s role during key crises — from the COVID-19 pandemic to the foreign exchange liquidity challenges faced by African nations — explaining that Afreximbank intervened with critical funding and stabilization mechanisms.
“We stood by our member countries in their most difficult moments. During COVID-19, we launched facilities that kept trade moving and supported vaccine procurement through the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust,” he added.
AfCFTA and Pan-African Integration
Under Oramah’s leadership, Afreximbank became a major player in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The bank launched the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), which allows cross-border trade settlements in local currencies, reducing dependence on the U.S. dollar.
He said the institution’s long-term vision remains to build resilience, enhance productivity, and help Africa “own its growth story.”
“Our goal has always been to make Africa less vulnerable to external shocks. We have created the platforms and instruments that will make trade within Africa easier, cheaper, and faster,” Oramah stated.
Looking Ahead
As Oramah prepares to exit office later this year, he expressed confidence in the bank’s future, emphasizing that Afreximbank is now a globally respected African financial powerhouse with presence in more than 50 member states.
He thanked African leaders, shareholders, and staff for their trust and collaboration, saying:
“This has been a collective journey. I am proud that together we built an institution Africans can rely on in good times and bad.”
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